Neighbors Helping Neighbors (2020)
Sprinkling Kindness Like Confetti (2019)
As part of Volunteer Recognition Month festivities, more than 115 volunteers attended the Volunteer Recognition Breakfast on Saturday, April 25, in Rangos Conference Center. 
In addition to words from Volunteer Coordinators, Angie Gordon and John Krysinsky, and Manager, Child Life, Volunteer Services and Family Resource Center, Stephanie Colaberardino, Chief Nursing Office and Vice President of Patient Services, Diane Hupp took the stage to express her appreciation, praising volunteers for playing a key role in making a better hospital experience for patients, families and visitors.
Many volunteers were recognized for years of service and volunteer hours, particularly those who surpassed milestones, including Carol Davis, who earned the Art Bell Service Award for having the highest number of total hours in the past year (587 hours!) and Ruth Yahr, who recently surpassed more than 7,800 total hours of service in more than 30 years!
Additional raffle drawings were held before the event closed with a fun Volunteer Appreciation video produced by Child Life Specialist Mark Mares.
Among the announcements included continuous volunteer appreciation activities throughout the year including Kennywood Day (June, date TBA), Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium (August 3), Fall and Holiday Raffles (October, November and December) and Heinz History Center (February 2020).
Simple Acts of Kindness (2017)
The 2017 edition of the Annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch was a big success. More than 100 volunteers in attendance for fun activities that included a photo booth, live music with Etta Cox, Bob Banajee and Jeff Lashway, a delicious catered brunch, special guests speakers — patients Jillian Bowman and Lauren Smakosz along with their parents, award presentations, special recognition for volunteers reaching milestones and more! In honoring the wishes of a long-time, dedicated volunteer Joyce Hallahan, who passed away in March — we celebrated simple acts of kindness!
It was Joyce's wish that her legacy be that each person provide another with a simple act of kindness. This year's Albert P. Lexie Volunteer of the Year was Greg Adametz. Greg has been a volunteer since 1992, devoting himself to many roles over the years, and currently comes on Wednesday and/or Thursday evenings as a floater, and has organized a Volunteer Team in Albert Lexie's honor (Albert's Army!) for the Walk for Children's. A former patient who spent many years at UPMC Children's prior to volunteering, Greg was very thrilled to receive this honor.
Also being honored were Dave and Marci Anderson, and the Golden Bone Pet Resort as the Community Partner of the Year (The Golden Bone Pet Resort).
In addition, long-time volunteer Tom "Wo"Wozar was this year's Art Bell Service Award recipient for most hours served in the past year (672 hours!) and office volunteer, Louise Lohman was honored as the May "Key Volunteer of the Month" recipient.
Oh! The Places You'll Go! (2018)
More than 110 volunteers attended a Dr. Seuss ‘Oh The Places You’ll Go” themed celebration in Rangos Conference Center.
It was a fun celebration that honored UPMC Children's volunteer contributions during the past year.
The festivities included:
- A buffet lunch.
- Raffle prizes donated from UPMC Children's leadership.
- Special words from Vice President, Operations and Patient Care Services, and Chief Nursing Officer Diane Hupp
- Our annual award presentation. Winners included were:
- Albert P. Lexie Volunteer of the Year – Laura Knight
- Community Partner of the Year – City Charter High School
- Special Seuss’ Superstars nominated by our staff. Each Seuss’ Superstar received a commemorative Dr. Seuss book signed by UPMC Children's staff.
Laura Knight – 2018 Volunteer of the YearIn addition, the event featured music from Sonny Pugar Memorial, Inc.’s Music Smiles program featuring:
- Etta Cox
- Bob Banejee
- Mark Lashway
- Additional vocal performance by our very own nurse, Tracy Jumlat
Making our Neighborhood Brighter (2016)
UPMC Children's Volunteer Services Department held its annual Volunteer Recognition event on Sunday, May 15 in Rangos Conference Center. Current volunteer Celina Pompeani served as the Master of Ceremonies for a program that honored numerous volunteers and featured an inspiring presentation from Junlei Li, Co-Director of Fred Rogers Center.
Read a complete recap of our annual Recognition Event (PDF).
Volunteers Are Treasured (2015)